Reviews

If anything, see this movie for Joaquin Phoenixs ghastly transformation and overall delivery - Oscar worthy for sure. The theme of "fractured identity" was well explored in the film, a plus. The "rich vs poor" theme also permeates the movie - but, conversely, I felt that could have been much more originally explored than it was. The cinematography is one of the film's strongest offerings. Easy contender for one of the year's most original films.

Wow! The Judo martial arts and weapons-based stunt choreography in this movie is mouth watering- I liked john wick part 2 even more than part 1 (I have not seen part 3 yet). Kudos to Keanu Reeves, it sounds like he is a true workhorse - where this movie excels is the freedom the producers gave both Keanu and the director on the set, room to improvise and grind out some sequences that are absolutely bananas! Be prepared for some stunning visuals, too - like the mirror house and Catacombs scenes! Plot was decent: the film as good as it is could be better if they came up with a truly unique script, fairly hard, generally speaking, in the genre the studio is playing with, let's be fair.

Loved Deakins' cinematography in the movie - flawless and the reason I went on opening night. The last 25% of movie, strictly from a screenplay perspective, gets a bit convoluted, but that might be because I have not read the book and walked into it completely unaware of reviews and plot. The acting from the young Theo boy was impeccable - and Nicole Kidman, despite only a supporting role, was also superb. Luke Wilson - crushes it, as well!

... as is the musical score that carrys the early landscape sequences, which are breathtaking, but the film could have certainly benefitted from a tightened script once you scrutinize it in its entirety. Most QT fans will certainly enjoy the dark humor, as I did, overall. Be prepared for some gory scenes in a rather claustrophobic haberdashery setting!

Impeccable cast and richly nuanced, Glory is a film everyone should see - there are many scenes you will have to revisit a second a third time since the themes of valor, freedom, courage, and self-will are continuously interweaved throughout the movie. The film in my view could (and should) have won more Oscars then it ended up receiving, but that is of course debatable. I am watching this movie in 2019, with the 30th year anniversary 4K edition and its impressive how well the film has aged - that's because the themes and story are timeless!

Stylistically very intriguing with a fluidly moving script from legendary novelist Cormac McCarthy - combined with director Ridley Scott its a fantastic package - the cast is rock solid and this movie, while not much of a winner in box office or critic circles, for whatever reason, will definitely please those who like shadow world crime movies and tales of greed - the film was essentially all shot in UK and Spain so major credit to the production design crew because it feels exactly like you are in New Mexico, Dallas, and Juarez throughout the entire film even though for budgeting reasons, they decided to shoot outside the US. I was impressed by Cameron Diaz, who plays a riskier nontraditional role and knocks it out of the park.

The last 30 minutes will leave you floored and the script, action, acting (including lesser known but terrific actor playing Faris, the Saudi agent), and production set control (film was shot in both Arizona and Abu Dhabi) were quite good - after watching this, I am hoping Berg as director, michael mann (he produced), and Fiore (cinematographer - solid use of triple camera technique throughout) link up again and do more projects

Strong unknown cast (at the time film was made), penetrating use of foil characters (O-dog vs caine), and gritty, always interesting cinematography make this a rather incredible debut for the Hughes - I wish there was more use of the character Pernell, though - he seems like yet another Good Shepard type allegory character, among many in the film.

Definitively worth watching if you are a Fuqua fan - I think the greatest attribute of the film is the focus and feel the cast and crew gives to the actual craft of military snipers and so forth - the first half of the movie has great tempo and kudos to Fuqua/the DP on the brilliant action sequences they were able to pin down in Downtown Philadelphia/Independence Hall, no easy feat by any means. I look forward to what else Fuqua has up his sleeve these next few years!

The studios perpetually shot down the idea of this movie ever getting made but the director stuck to his guns and took a bold risk putting forward some - at the time - relatively unknown actors. If you like film noir genre, this is a MUST SEE - I thought Guy Pearce was absolutely stellar in his role and cinematographer Dante Spinotti's artistic yield in the movie is palpable and inviting.

Very dark but remarkably engrossing revenge musical - in my view, Depp was undoubtedly brilliant but Helena Carter, in my view, steals the show with her role - if you like Tim Burton's style and repertoire, you will adore this movie. Costume design and production set design are stellar; the shots embodying the cloudy, perpetually gray London streets were fascinating - overall, bravo!

Flawless movie really whether you consider the tight script, control and depth of characters throughout, and absolutely stunning cinematography ... I think the musical score is also incredibly terrifying and deeply adds to the film. At the end, you are left asking a thousand questions and thats the hallmark of a good film.

I always felt david ayer puts out excellent work and realistic relative to urban environments and cop action - he got a terrific cast in STREET KINGS and the tempo of the film really works to keep the viewer glued on all the characters and LAPD malfeasance

Pacino offers another stellar performance in this generally captivating political suspense story - starts off a bit slow but then the script really begins to gel a third through the film, leading to a terrific Greek tragedy imbued climax. If you generally like movies underscoring power struggles, under the table mischief, and on-location NYC film shooting, you can't go wrong giving this film a try - generally it never really struck a chord with most big shot critics but that doesn't mean it doesnt have its appeal - especially for genre lovers.

Masterpiece - Kubrick was one of the most astute and vertically integrated directors ever, with script, production, and direction all done by him and many of other movies. Barry Lyndon is an epic, beautifully penciled story of opportunism, meticulously calculated revenge, and ultimately, self-destruction. If you enjoy perfect, natural light cinematography on 35mm and period pieces, prepare to be dazzled !! Every scene is like an 18th century painting with layer after layer of interpretative possiblity.

Just rewatched after ten years - if you like Hitchcock driven suspense, you will like this. If you like movies filmed in NYC, you will like this. If you like solid cinematography, you will like this. Diane Lane gives a peformance of a lifetime. I wont ruin it for you but definitely consider the directors presentation of a nearly perfect but not perfect enough marriage, the gust in the wind that shakes that world to pieces, and finally the cleansing or cathartic moment at end that only could have come about after the world the characters live in is initially toppled over - pay attention to the snow globe that appears in middle of movie, important metaphor!